So you’ve finally been awarded a seat
on the board of directors. How do you celebrate? By giving to charity? Don’t be
silly. You opt for one of these Top 5 large executive saloons, of course.
Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueEfficiency
Mercedes-Benz’s S-class has always been the
benchmark within this motoring segment, debuting tech that even James Bond does
not have access to. The Stuttgart stallion gallops forward thanks to a 3498 cc
V6 that provides 225 kW at 6500 RPM and 370 Nm of torque at 3500 RPM, which is
enough to reach 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and limited top end of 250 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz
S350
The entry-level model in the current range
is the S350 BlueEfiiciency which goes for R1 047 000. This nets buyers features
that you will also find on some of the other vehicles in this comparison the
likes of bi-xenon lights with LED daytime driving lights and reversing camera
with parking guidance. Also standard are less common features such as attention
assist that detects drowsiness and encourages the driver to pull over for a
rest, and pre-safe, which warns drivers of an impending crash threat and
activates the safety equipment in case. The only real threat to the S-class’
leader-of-the-pack status comes in the form of its newly unveiled successor,
which only launches later this year internationally.
BMW 740i
Like Jaguar and Mercedes, BMW asserts that
drivers do not necessarily need a big. honking V8 to get the best performance
out of their uber-sized luxury barge. The 740i is powered by a turbocharged
2979 cc V6 that delivers 235 kW at 5800 RPM and 450 Nm of torque between 1300
and 4500 RPM. This has the Beemer Snelling its way to 100 km/h in a quick 5.7
seconds onto a regulated and illegal top-end of 250 km/h. BMW claims a 7.9 liters
per 100 km average fuel usage figure.
BMW
740i
The recommended retail price of the
standard 740i comes in at around R1 009 500. which seems like a bargain
compared to the Lexus, but this considerable RRP still leaves the 740i with a
rather lengthy options list. This includes paying another R8 800 for park
assist and R27 400 for a night vision system.
Audi A8 3.0 TFSI
Ingolstadts biggest luxury sedan might
sport the same massive frame as the rest of the large executive competition,
but it cuts down on the weight thanks to its all-aluminum Audi Space Frame
construction. The A8's supercharged V6 generates 213 kW and peak torque tally
of 420 Nm, with at least 90% of this total being available within a wide rev
range between 2500 RPM and 4850 RPM. This sees the A8 accelerating to 100 km/h
in 6.1 seconds. while consuming a frugal (for this category) 9.1 liters per 100
km on a combined cycle.
Audi
A8 3.0 FTSI
Acquiring an A8 3.0 TFSI will leave your
bank balance R943 500 in the red, but includes a plethora of features as
standard, including a premium Bose sound system, 4-zone climate control and
front and rear park distance control with reverse camera.
Lexus LS460
Lexus
LS460
The LS460 is powered by a 4.6 liter V8 that
delivers 285 kW at 6400 RPM and 493 Nm of torque at 4100 RPM, enabling the
driver to propel this five meter long vehicle to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, onto
an electronically governed terminal velocity of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption
figures are a claimed 10.7 liters per 100 km on a combined cycle. Parking the
Lexus LS460 in your garage will set you back R1 236 700, with the sole
consolation that this purchase adds every conceivable feature on the options
list. This includes an upgraded Mark Levinson sound system featuring 19
speakers, a 15 channel amplifier, true 7.1 surround sound and connectivity for
virtually every type of sound input the likes of Bluetooth audio streaming.
Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6
Jaguar
XJ 3.0 V6
Like the XF. Jaguar's sublimely styled XJ
also sports an inherent ability to turn other executive saloon owners green
with envy. This stylish cat sprints forward courtesy of its 2995 cc
supercharged V6 that churns out 250 kW at 6500 RPM and 450 Nm of torque between
3500 and 5000 RPM. Drivers will bring up 100 km/h on the speedometer in under 6
seconds en route to an electronically limited top end of 250 km/h.
Despite its Cheetah-like performance, the
Jaguar is not such a thirsty cat, with a combined-cycle (town and highway
driving) fuel usage figure of 9.6 liters per 100 km. The privilege of sliding into
the driver’s seat costs around R1 018 100, which makes it one of the more
affordable vehicles in this comparison.
